Prunning branches back to the trunk on leylandii?
Question:I want to tidy up my leylandii so i'm thinking of prunning and trimming the lower branches back to the trunk so it gives the typcial tree shape, trunk then branches. As they're quite tall i'm wondering if this would make them top heavy and possibley blow over. I can't afford to get them chopped down completely just yet but that's what i'd like to do, anyone know of any organisations that could offer help to get rid of them.
Answers:
No they wont fall down. They get thinner the higher they go, which means they get lighter. Prune back evenly though to keep the tree balanced. If you dont keep it balanced this is when problems could occur. For example= Very high winds pusing against the lighter side could make the root plate unstable
Remember once pruned back they wont come back
Where do you live and i might be able to find someone in your area to help you.
Organisations? dunno, sorry.
Trimming the lower branches towards the trunk is not a good plan. Better to chop them right off. One thing to be aware of is that when you trim the lower branches away you will expose the old dead unsightly brown (prickly!) needles remaining on the insides of the good and lively green ones above. Patience and gloves are required*, and expect the branches to have a nude look when you remove the dead stuff. I doubt if you will make them too top-heavy, Leylandii are too clever for that, their branches are shorter the higher up. *Eye goggles too, needles can be ubiquitous!
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